How to Stay Productive During the Holiday Break

Even if you’ve got time off for the holidays, between all of the requisite gatherings, seasonal decorating and trips to the shopping mall, this time of year can bring your productivity to a screeching halt. The problem is, you want to keep your mind sharp and your habits school and/or office-ready. Use these five tips to make the most of your holiday break.

1. Catch up on Small Stuff

When life is at its frenetic worst, the little things — like reading, responding to and deleting emails — can seem overwhelming. That’s why holiday break is the perfect time to catch up on relevant tasks that could otherwise take on a life of their own.

2. Job Search in Earnest

Whether you’re actively looking for a new job, pursuing a promotion or just keeping your options open, this is a great time to buff up on interview skills, fine-tune that resume and apply for gigs. After all, it usually takes some time for prospective employers to respond.

3. Go Solo

Likely, like you, your colleagues are pulled in many directions this time of year. Whether it’s because of vacation time or the fact that the kiddos are out of school, it may be impossible to complete every task at hand as a team. That’s why it’s good time to focus on solo endeavors, projects that don’t require others’ assistance.

4. Get Organized

Everyone is more productive when things are just so. That’s why the holidays — and the New Year’s resolutions that come with this time of year — are a great time to whip your life into shape. Go through and categorize that which has piled up. As tedious as it may be, it’ll make the transition to another chapter more effortless and stress-free.

5. Rest Up

Part of being productive is having the energy to get the job done. That’s why the holidays are a time to cut yourself a bit of slack — if only for the reason that it’s in your best interest. When you’re mentally rested, you’re better able to tackle the next set of challenges life throws your way.